DOVER -- We Still Have a Dream: Challenging Ourselves to Live It, Sunday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m., First Parish Congregational Church, 218 Central Ave., Dover; At this Martin Luther King gathering participants will challenge each other to live King’s dreams. Free. Cheryl Hoffman or Mike Bennett, 603-742-5664, cherylahoff@gmail.com.

DURHAM — Durham Evangelical Church is offering a nine-week session of Financial Peace University starting January 20 at 2 PM in its Function Hall (lower level).

Through video teaching, class discussions, and interactive small group activities, FPU presents practical steps to get rid of debt, manage money, and spend and save wisely. The average FPU family pays off $5300 in debt and saves $2700 in the first 90 days.

For more information email financialpeace@durhame.org or register online at durhame.org.

WAKEFIELD -- The Wakefield Community Shawl Ministry will celebrate its third anniversary on Thursday, January 24, 10-11:30 am at First Congregational Church of Wakefield, 2718 Wakefield Road. Refreshments will be served at this celebration.

This group, which is open to the community, meets on the fourth Thursday of the month to make prayer shawls which are given to people as symbols of comfort and joy during times of hardship and life transitions. Anyone who would like to knit, crochet, sew or quilt shawls or prayer squares is welcome to join the group. Participants share prayer concerns and resources. Refer any questions to Jan Fairchild, 522-2123 and join us on January 24.

ROCHESTER -- Emmanuel Church has secured the services of a professional employment counselor to assist those individuals who are unemployed, under-employed, in the process of returning to the workforce, or have been affected by company downsizings. Monday, January 28th at 9 am at Emmanuel Church, 34 Eastern Ave. Topics of discussion will range from resume development, planning and applying innovative strategies, offering insightful interviewing tips to participants and providing productive advice to generate interest of hiring managers. A generous amount of time will be provided to those in attendance to surface questions. Resumes will be developed for all those who attend.

Materials will be provided to those in attendance. Interested participants are encouraged to contact Emmanuel Church at 603-332-5355 asking for Misty to reserve their place since seating is limited.

DOVER -- Mark your calendars! St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church is hosting a “Practical Planning” seminar as part of their Heartstrings - Caring Generation to Generation program on February 9, 2013 - 9:00 am to 11:00 am in the Parish Hall at 5 Hale Street, Dover.

Aging endangers many things that we take for granted when we’re younger - health, assets, and personal independence. Legal problems that affect the elderly are growing in number. Laws and regulations are becoming more complex. Our next Heartstrings - Caring Generation to Generation event will offer a “Practical Planning” talk with guest speaker, Attorney Simone D. Masse from the law firm of Robinson, Boesch, Sennott and Masse Professional Association in Portsmouth.

Simone is experienced in elder law and will talk about the basics. She will touch on a variety of topics such as: power of attorney, wills, , trusts, asset protection and healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid. Questions are welcome during and after the 2 hour session. If you’ve found yourself confused about just where to start, plan to attend and invite a friend! Refreshments will be served. No reservation required. Contact the Parish Office at 742-3155 for any questions.